Died on a Cross

 

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14 ESV).

 

The cross of Jesus is often featured in jewelry, sculpture, posters, logos, and other kinds of art. This symbol has become so common that we hardly ever think of its horror. In ancient times, though, crucifixion, or being hung on a pole, was a terrifying sentence of death for murderers, idol worshipers, sorcerers, and other convicted criminals. The guilty died a slow, agonizing death in public, and they were considered cursed by God (cf. Deuteronomy 21:23).

 

This short phrase is very important in biblical theology concerning the redemptive work Jesus. This is true because the Bible teaches that Jesus’ death on the cross means he took on the curse of God for our sake. Jesus shouldered that burden for us.

 

In our reading today the apostle Paul explains that people who try to live by the law (as given in the Old Testament) and fail to keep it are guilty. And of course, no one except Jesus could keep the law perfectly. As Paul notes in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all guilty before God, and we all deserve God’s judgment. But the good news is that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” through his death on a cross.

 

Next time you see a cross, wherever it may be, pause and think about the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.